What happens when you put undeclared as a major on an appllication to UCLA or Berkeley?

Question

i've read people say put undeclared for your major so u have a better chance of getting in. if u get accepted into the school can u then declare a major?

Answer 1

Competitiveness is determined by the college you apply to within the campus, not by the major. So for Berkeley, the College of Letters and Science is the most competitive college and all majors within that college are equally competitive. College of Natural Resources is the second least competitive college (the least competitive college is the College of Chemistry, but you don't want to go there). As for UCLA, since most "common" majors are all in the College of Letters and Science, you don't have much of a choice but to compete against everyone else.

Answer 2

I don't really think that putting "undeclared" in your application will enhance your chance to get into berkeley. Even if you apply to any majors at the College of Letters and Science (e.g., English, Biology, Business, etc) you will be put under "undeclared" anyway. Then you need to apply for that major when you are a sophmore or junior. However, if you apply to colleges other than L&S (e.g., Natural Resources, Engineering, etc), then you will be in the major that you applied for (and I heard it is harder to get into the "undeclared" major in those colleges)

Answer 3

Yes, if you put in undeclared, you can declare a major after you start there. The only restrictions may be to very popular majors, like film, where they can only handle a certain number.

Answer 4

At UCLA, unless you're applying to one of the specialty schools (such as engineering, architecture, film and TV), your admissions decision will NOT be influenced by your choice of major. . . so it's best to be honest. Same thing with Berkeley.

http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/Prospect/Adm_fr/FrSel.htm
http://students.berkeley.edu/admissions/fallapp.asp?id=56&navid=N

Good luck.

Answer 5

I believe the guy above me, surely bypass to the college with a miles better region and a miles better feeling because of the fact the two colleges are equivalent in status and teachers. good success!